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Spinal spacerSpinal spacer description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080077247, Spinal spacer. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001]The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/846,568 to Murillo et al., filed Sep. 22, 2006, and entitled "Spinal Spacer", the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002]1. Field of the Invention [0003]The present invention is directed to systems, methods, and devices applicable to spinal surgery. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a spinal spacer for use by medical personnel (i.e., doctor) in spinal and other surgical procedures. In some embodiments of the present invention relates to a spinal spacer for insertion into a disk space defined between two adjacent vertebrae, in order to restore an appropriate height between the vertebrae and to allow bone fusion to take place between said adjacent vertebrae. [0004]2. Background of the Invention [0005]Vertebrae are the individual irregular bones that make up the spinal column (aka ischis)--a flexuous and flexible column. There are normally thirty-three vertebrae in humans, including the five that are fused to form the sacrum (the others are separated by intervertebral discs) and the four coccygeal bones which form the tailbone. The upper three regions comprise the remaining 24, and are grouped under the names cervical (7 vertebrae), thoracic (12 vertebrae) and lumbar (5 vertebrae), according to the regions they occupy. This number is sometimes increased by an additional vertebra in one region, or it may be diminished in one region, the deficiency often being supplied by an additional vertebra in another. The number of cervical vertebrae is, however, very rarely increased or diminished. [0006]A typical vertebra consists of two essential parts: an anterior (front) segment, which is the vertebral body; and a posterior part--the vertebral (neural) arch--which encloses the vertebral foramen. The vertebral arch is formed by a pair of pedicles and a pair of laminae, and supports seven processes, four articular, two transverse, and one spinous, the latter also being known as the neural spine. [0007]When the vertebrae are articulated with each other, the bodies form a strong pillar for the support of the head and trunk, and the vertebral foramina constitute a canal for the protection of the medulla spinalis (spinal cord), while between every pair of vertebrae are two apertures, the intervertebral foramina, one on either side, for the transmission of the spinal nerves and vessels. [0008]Conventional spinal spacer assemblies are use in spinal fusion procedures to repair damaged or incorrectly articulating vertebrae. Spinal fusion employs the use of spacer assemblies having a hollow mesh spacer tube and end caps that space apart and fuse together adjacent vertebrae. These mesh spacer tubes are often formed of titanium and are available in varying shapes and sizes. In addition, they can be trimmed on site by the surgeon to provide a better individual fit for each patient. Conventional spinal spacer assemblies come in different cross sections. These spacer assemblies are generally hollow and include openings in the side thereof to provide access for bone to grow and fuse within the mesh tube. [0009]There exists a need for further improvements in the field of spinal spacer assemblies of the present type. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010]In some embodiments, the present invention relates to a spinal spacer. The spinal spacer having a wall configured to enclose a hollow interior, wherein the wall is further configured to have a top portion and a bottom portion. The top and bottom portions are configured to include a plurality of protrusions or teeth configured to protrude away from the top and bottom portions. The wall is further configured to have at least one curved portion (or curvature) and include a plurality of grooves and an opening. [0011]In some embodiments, the present invention relates to a spinal spacer assembly. The assembly includes a spinal spacer. The spinal spacer has a wall having two sides, a front portion, and a back portion, wherein the front and back portions are configured to be disposed between the two sides. The front and back portions are configured to include at least one curved portion. At least one side of the two sides includes at least one groove and at least one opening. The two sides and the front and back portions are configured to enclose a hollow interior. The wall is further configured to have a top surface and a bottom surface. The top and bottom surfaces are configured to include a plurality of protrusions configured to protrude away from the top and bottom portions. In some embodiments, the wall may have a variable thickness. [0012]Further features and advantages of the invention, as well as structure and operation of various embodiments of the invention, are disclosed in detail below with references to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013]The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. [0014]FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an exemplary spinal spacer, according to some embodiments of the present invention. [0015]FIG. 1B is a bottom view of the exemplary spinal spacer shown in FIG. 1A. [0016]FIG. 1C is a top view of the exemplary spinal spacer shown in FIG. 1A. [0017]FIG. 1D is a side view of the exemplary spinal spacer shown in FIG. 1A. [0018]FIG. 1E is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary spinal spacer shown in FIG. 1A. [0019]FIG. 1F is another side view of the exemplary spinal spacer shown in FIG. 1A. [0020]FIG. 1G is another top view of the exemplary spinal spacer shown in FIG. 1A. Continue reading about Spinal spacer... Full patent description for Spinal spacer Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Spinal spacer patent application. Patent Applications in related categories: 20090292362 - Intervertebral implant and methods of implantation and manufacture - In one aspect, an intervertebral prosthetic device for implantation within a disc space between adjacent first and second vertebral endplates includes a body including a main body with an outer surface bearing portion configured to interface with and articulate relative to one of the first and second vertebral endplates. It ... 20090292363 - Intervertebral prosthesis - A prosthesis for replacing a native disc between first and second adjacent vertebral bodies. The prosthesis includes a compliant element having a first composition and a geometry for providing a plurality of element stiffnesses for the compliant element substantially matching spatial stiffnesses of the native disc. The prosthesis also includes ... ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Spinal spacer or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Prosthetic intervertebral discs having cast end plates and methods for making and using them Next Patent Application: Vertebral body replacement Industry Class: Prosthesis (i.e., artificial body members), parts thereof, or aids and accessories therefor ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Spinal spacer patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.09837 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Computers: Graphics , I/O , Processors , Dyn. Storage , Static Storage , Printers 174 |
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